In 1910, Ness moved up to the Class B Tri-State League with the Williamsport Millionaires. He batted .315 that season and led the league in hits, with 129. This performance earned him a roster spot on the Detroit Tigers, and he made his major league debut on May 9, 1911. In 12 games for the Tigers, he batted just .154. On June 15, he was traded to the New England League's New Bedford Whalers. He spent two seasons in New Bedford before joining the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. In 1913, Ness batted .264, and in 1914, he raised his average to .292. One newspaper wrote that he was "the most popular player in the Coast league, both with players and fans alike."

In 1910, Ness moved up to the Class B Tri-State League with the Williamsport Millionaires. He batted .315 that season and led the league in hits, with 129. This performance earned him a roster spot on the Detroit Tigers, and he made his major league debut on May 9, 1911. In 12 games for the Tigers, he batted just .154. On June 15, he was traded to the New England League's New Bedford Whalers. He spent two seasons in New Bedford before joining the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. In 1913, Ness batted .264, and in 1914, he raised his average to .292. One newspaper wrote that he was "the most popular player in the Coast league, both with players and fans alike."

Large hail and strong winds were to blame for damage to campers of all shapes and sizes at Jack’s Campers in Piedmont...Ness, who has been with Jack’s Campers location in Piedmont since it opened, said he was still at work when the storm moved in shortly after 5 p.m ... Ness, who works in sales and service for Jack’s, said most of the units, because of the extensive hail damage, will be categorized a total loss....

KeithNess was remarkably pragmatic for someone whose place of employment suffered millions of dollars in losses from Friday’s hail storm ... You can’t do nothing about it,” said Ness, as he and other Jack’s Campers employees assessed extensive damage to about 500 travel trailers and motorhomes on Jack’s soggy lot Saturday morning...Ness saw the sky darken as the storm zeroed in from the west just after 5 p.m....